Former Newcastle Winger Sylvain Marveaux Arrested in France as Part of Tax Investigation

Ollie Knight

90Min27 April 2017

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Former Newcastle United winger Sylvain Marvauex has been arrested for questioning in connection to the tax investigation that saw HMRC officers raid St James' Park and the London Stadium on Wednesday, according to the ​Daily Mail.

The 31-year-old, who currently plays for Ligue 1 side Lorient, is reported to be in police custody to 'answer questions' about the allegations, which have seen several arrests across France and England.

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Thursday's Le Parisien newspaper writes: "According to our information, they are three players' agents, as well as Lorient's attacking midfielder Sylvain Marveaux, the former Newcastle player."

The player's agents are now reported to be the focus of the enquiry with the HMRC revealing they had 'arrested several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected income tax and national insurance fraud.'

Their statement continued: "Investigators have searched a number of premises in the North-East and South-East of England and arrested men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.

"The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, and have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France."

Breaking | Marseille's ex-board also a target for tax investigation by English & French authorities relating to Newcastle & West Ham. (RTL)

"The belief is that organised criminal gangs based in Corsica and mainland France were working with senior officials at the club, agents and other parties," said one of the sources, as quoted in the ​Daily Mail.

"Marseille has done a lot of high profile business with both West Ham and Newcastle in recent years, and accordingly both British clubs are being brought into this enquiry."

West Ham's signings of Alou Diarra in 2012 and Dimitri Payet in 2015 are both being looked at, as well as Newcastle's deals for Florian Thauvin and Remy Cabella.